Division of Chronic Disease Prevention Fact Sheet

Who We Are

The New York State Department of Health Division of Chronic Disease Prevention implements evidence-based, evidenced-informed, and innovative public health strategies in order to support New Yorkers to live healthier lives and eliminate health disparities by reducing the incidence and burden of chronic diseases and conditions (e.g., heart disease, stroke, cancer, obesity, diabetes, asthma, arthritis,) and their associated risk factors (poor nutrition, tobacco use, and lack of physical activity).

Our Vision and Mission

The Division of Chronic Disease Prevention envisions a high quality of life for all New Yorkers and the elimination of health disparities for vulnerable New York populations. Our mission is to enhance opportunities for all New Yorkers to live more healthful lives by implementing integrated initiatives to promote policy, systems, and environmental improvements that support health in all places where New Yorkers live, play, work, and learn.

Priority Areas

The Division of Chronic Disease Prevention focuses on the following areas:

Epidemiology and surveillance, which includes gathering, analyzing, and disseminating data and information and conducting evaluation to inform, prioritize, deliver, and monitor program and population health.

Environmental approaches that promote health and support and reinforce healthy behaviors (statewide in schools, child care centers, worksites, and communities).

Health system interventions to improve the effective delivery and use of clinical and other preventive services in order to prevent disease, detect diseases early, and reduce or eliminate risk factors and mitigate or manage complications due to chronic diseases.

Strategies to improve community-clinical linkages ensuring that communities support and clinics refer patients to programs that improve management of chronic conditions. Such interventions ensure that those with or at high risk for chronic diseases have access to quality community resources to best manage their conditions or disease risk.

What We Do

Generate information for action

Build health-promoting public policy

Create safe and supportive environments

Strengthen community action

Promote delivery of clinical preventive services

Reorient health care to emphasize prevention and quality of care

Promote individual chronic disease self-management skills

Organize health care and community resources to provide on-going self-management support for patient populations